Student Teaching Information

Department Standards

All students completing an educational endorsement must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher for the last 45 graded quarter credits or overall CWU/transfer cumulative. Students must also earn (prior to student teaching) a minimum grade of "C" in all required courses for certification.

Admission Requirements

Students may not enroll in education courses until they have been at least conditionally admitted into the Teacher Certification Program. Please see the admission requirements for the Teacher Certification Program.

Student Teaching (EFC 480) is a by-permission-only course which must be completed full-time over the course of one quarter. Students must attend the seminar which accompanies the student teaching experience. The seminar will meet a total of 20 clock hours during the quarter, normally at a time other than school hours, and at a place designated by the University Field Supervisor.

All assignments for Student Teaching are made through the Office of Field Experiences. Students must complete the Student Teaching Application online by the posted deadline.

In order to qualify for certification to teach in more than one specialization, students must meet all requirements as listed in the undergraduate catalog for each specialization and pass the appropriate state required exam (WEST-E or NES).

Prerequisites: Full admission to the Teacher Certification Program, 3.0 GPA or higher (either for the last 45 graded quarter credits or overall CWU/transfer cumulative), successful completion (grade of C or higher) of professional sequence, major and minor courses, successful completion of at least 75 percent of major and minor (to include certain courses), submission of proof of purchase of $1M liability insurance*, and submission of proof of registration of WEST-E or NES exam for a test date that will occur prior to the first day of the Student Teaching experience. All grades of Incomplete must be converted to C or higher prior to the beginning of the Student Teaching experience.

Liability Insurance

In order to seek and solidify a Student Teaching placement, students must provide proof of purchase of $1m of liability insurance.

CWU offers the required insurance to students for $7.12. Please complete the online Professional Liability Insurance Enrollment form. The liability insurance is valid September 1 - August 31 of each year. The CWU Teacher Certification Office receives notification when a teacher candidate has purchased the required insurance.

Many professional organizations provide this coverage for its student members. It is the students' responsibility to inquire if such coverage for student teaching is offered by the organization(s) through which they become members. If you choose SWEA the simplest way to apply is visiting the website link below. Once your application has been accepted and processed (membership granted), you will receive an email confirmation. Keep a copy of this email for your records, and send a copy via email to: education@cwu.edu or bring a photocopy to the Certification Office (Black Hall, room 101) as your proof of purchase.

Alternatively you may check with the professional organization associated with your content area for additional possible sources of insurance, or visit the website for Northwest Professional Educators (NWPE) listed below. Northwest Professional Educators provides $2 million in liability insurance for student teaching. This policy continues for one year and remains in place if hired during the membership year. It covers contracted and substitute educators in all educational settings.

Liability insurance must be valid for the dates you will be working as a student teacher in the classroom.

Should you have any questions about liability insurance, please contact the CWU Teacher Certification Office.

Orientation

The Student Teaching orientation will be scheduled by your University Field Supervisor. Attendance is mandatory. If you can not attend, prior arrangements must be made with your University Field Supervisor or you will be dropped from Student Teaching.

Orientation information will be posted in Black Hall, room 101, or may be provided by your University Field Supervisor via email or telephone.

A Student Teaching packet will be provided at orientation. The packet will include the Student Teaching Handbook and other orientation materials needed to get you started in the experience.

Placements

Only the University Field Supervisor is allowed to seek placements for Student Teaching. Students may not act on their own behalf, nor have anyone other than the approved University Field Supervisor act on their behalf, regarding placements. Information regarding placements will be available in Black 101 as it is received. Most schools finalize placements around finals week (see deadlines).

Geographic Assignments

Not all areas of geographic preference are available as options for placement in every quarter.

In areas where placement options are limited, students will be chosen based on a random lottery system. Typically, this refers only to Kittitas County placements (where there are usually no more than 8-12 placements available in any given quarter), but may also apply to other areas as well, based on district need and availability of Cooperating Teachers. (Extenuating personal or professional circumstances for areas with limited placement will not be considered.)

No placements will be sought in areas where full-time University Field Supervisors are not available to seek placements (typically, placements are sought in areas near the 6 University Centers).

Registration

Students must attend a mandatory Pre-Autumn Information Meeting during the spring quarter prior to Pre-Autumn. This meeting will focus on general information about placement, procedures, expectations and refunds. Course/section numbers for pre-registration will be disseminated at this meeting. An email will be sent to applicant's CWU Outlook account during spring quarter identifying dates and times of this mandatory meeting. Student ID must be shown in order to receive course/section numbers.

An email will be sent to applicant's CWU Outlook account during Spring quarter with your course number to register. You must register by the end of Spring quarter. You will not be allowed in the classroom unless you are registered. Deadlines for withdrawal are different than deadlines for fall quarter (withdrawal information).

Student Teaching Interview

Student Teaching interviews will be arranged by each field supervisor.

For CWU Centers students, the University Field Supervisor will contact you to schedule an interview.

This allows the University Field Supervisor to ask the student teacher questions related to pedagogy, placement, student preference, and expectations. Students can also discuss questions and concerns regarding student teaching with the University Field Supervisor.